SONY SHOWS THE 2021 TV RANGE: MANY MODELS, OLED AND LCD, DESIGNED FOR PS5
Last year Sony amazed everyone with a lineup full of alternatives but which lacked something: support for the gaming functions of HDMI 2.1. During 2020, only one model arrived, apart from the expensive ZH8 8K, the XH90 we reviewed a few months ago , too little to better support the launch of the PS5. In hindsight, given also the limited amount of consoles arriving on the market, it was not a serious damage, but this year things will be different and many fans, along with PS5, may want to buy a new TV. techiescity
That's why the new 2021 TV range has been created with a
focus on gamers, obviously without overshadowing the consolidated quality of
vision that has always distinguished the Japanese house. In all, there are
seven models shown during tonight's presentation event, others will arrive
later in the year, for a lineup that brings 4K to 120 Hz and VRR even in the
mid-range .
Lots of news
The announcements made by Sony not only concern the upcoming
televisions, but also the new technologies fielded by the Japanese house in the
2021 models, starting with the image processor. The change promises to be
important, already with the X1 Ultimate Sony was at the top of the category in
image management, but now, with the Sony XR chip , what is called " The
first processor with cognitive intelligence"According to Sony, this
processor is able to process images from a more human perspective, placing
emphasis and improving the elements that we are most likely to observe within a
content. For the occasion, they have all been renamed. the technologies seen in
Sony TVs in recent years, we therefore find XR Triluminos Pro, XR Motion
Clarity as well as a series of functions designed specifically for the
improvement of contrast and audio.
Speaking of contrast, on the top of the range OLED A90J we
find the Contrast Pro function which, according to Sony, is able to bring the
peak brightness to higher levels than those of traditional OLEDs .
Until now, OLED displays have only used a white light
emitter to generate light, in the case of the A90J it seems that RGB components
can do this too, so the light peaks increase in intensity. At the same time, an
aluminum plate on the back is used to dissipate the excess heat generated by
the components.
This is a new technology and still to be explored: Sony,
during the technical workshop we attended, tried to show its benefits but
without a live view we can only postpone the first impressions on the real
capacity of the A90J to the next few months. to generate brighter than average
light peaks.
The XR processor also takes care of the management of the
sound, which is generated differently by the OLED and LCD models. In the OLEDs
the excellent Acoustic Surface Pro technology returns, which generates sounds
directly from the panel through actuators on the back, in the case of the LCDs,
instead, traditional speakers are used which, together with the processing
provided by the XR chip, try to make the more enveloping and better positioned
sound. Unfortunately, even in this case, without direct proof, it is impossible
to make further considerations.
Interesting news on the software front, given that the new
models are equipped with Google TV. This is not a real new operating system,
but rather a renewed interface that runs on the previously used Android TV.
Sony has also announced the Bravia Core streaming service , exclusively for
Bravi XR televisions, which will allow the viewing of high-bitrate 4K HDR
movies, arriving all over Europe (however, there is no confirmation on the
possible landing in Italy).
The upcoming televisions, from 8K to 4K
Sony has shown a total of seven new TVs arriving for over
the course of 2021, starting with the top-of-the-range 8K Z9J , a Full LED
backlit LCD from the Master series, which will be available in 75 and 85-inch
sizes. It is a very high-end TV, with XR image processor, compatible with Dolby
Vision (no HDR10 +) and equipped with X-Wide Angle technologies, to increase
the viewing angles, and X-Anti Reflection, to reduce the minimal reflections.
Like many of the TVs we will see, it supports input signals in 4K at 120 Hz, in
addition to VRR and ALLM. Although not specified in the characteristics, being
the only 8K model it is possible that the HDMI 2.1 used also accept 8K at 60
Hz.
The top of the OLED range is instead the A90J, coming in 55,
65 and 83 inch sizes. The design takes up much of what was seen in the Z9J,
creating a minimal and very elegant looking TV.
The frames, at least from what can be seen in the images,
seem thin, while the side supports have been designed to be positioned also in
the center, thus avoiding problems during installation. This model is the only
one equipped with Contrast Pro technology , which increases peak brightness,
supports Dolby Vision and Netflix calibrated mode. Also present the 4K at 120
Hz, VRR and ALLM.
Coming down the OLED lineup is the A80J, featuring a similar
design but with thicker screen edges, coming in 55, 65 and 77-inch versions. A
48-inch OLED is missing this year, a cut that LG has probably decided to keep
to itself. The peak brightness of this model should be lower, given the absence
of Contrast Pro technology, but here too there remains support for 4K at 120
Hz, VRR and ALLM, as well as Dolby Vision.
Sony has implemented these functions of HDMI 2.1 on a large
part of the LCD range, starting with the X95J and the X90J , equipped with Full
LED backlighting and XR image processor. The design of the X95J takes up the
lines of the more expensive variants, unlike the X90J, which uses simpler ones.
The X95J will come in 65, 75 and 85 inch sizes, while the
X90J will be available in 50, 55, 65 and 75 inch diagonals. We do not knows if
there are differences in the amount of backlight zones between the two models,
the certain thing is that the 50-inch cut could be tempting for many gamers
with space problems.
So far we have seen that Sony has brought the functions of
HDMI 2.1 across the high and mid-range range, what we did not expect to see is
their presence also on the X85J , an LCD with Edge LED backlight and X1 image
processor. , less advanced than the XR chip. The available sizes are very
interesting, starting from 43 inches and then going up to 50, 55, 65, 75 and 85
inches.
This is the smallest TV seen so far with support for 4K at
120Hz, VRR and ALLM. At the base of the LCD range is the X80J , arriving in the
43, 50, 55 and 65 inch sizes. This is the only model without any HDMI 2.1
function, an entry level with a potentially very low cost.
